Who Said So? "I" Did!

The Lord has put such a person on my heart. I struggle with the idea of even attempting any communication with them, when the mind is so hard and closed.

When we loose humility, we loose teach-ability and any possibility for growth, maturity, and/or realization of Truth!

Today I was studying in John Chapter 5 and am reminded of Jesus' thoughts on just this issue, when He was challenged about who He was and His authority.

John 5:30-32 I can do nothing on my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me. "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies about me, and I know the testimony he testifies about me is true.

Colossians 1:25-29 I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God — given to me for you — in order to complete the word of God, that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to his saints.God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is"Christ in you, the hope of glory". We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me.

If Christ is truly in you others will see and hear, Jesus Christ, not YOU, your knowledge, or accomplishments!

Gazing Upon Christ

We have all seen the person who begins all arguments with the unassailable proposition that he is right and reasons from there. We have received a few letters which purported to settle all questions, not by bringing forth reasons, but by establishing the writer's qualifications to pronounce judgment. "How dare you question my actions," he says. "I am the foremost leader in my field. I have written this many books and spoken to this many people over a long period of this many years." Ergo, I am not to be trifled with, nor are my opinions to be questioned. If I do it, it is right. Ispe dixit. He has said it.This kind of thing would be comical if it were not tragic. We mention it only to point up the truth under present consideration and to show by horrible example what long continued self-assurance will do to a human character. Let the public accept a man as unusual, and he is soon tempted to accept himself as being above reproof. Soon a hard shell of impenitence covers his heart and chokes his spiritual life almost out of existence. The cure, if there is to be a cure, would be simple, of course. Let him look to his past and to the cross where Jesus died. If he can still defend himself after that, then let him look into his own heart and tell what he finds there. If after that he can still boast, close the coffin lid.We might point out a danger here (for there will always be perils in the way of spiritual progress): it is that we become morbidly introspective and lose the legitimate happy cheer from our souls. This we must never do, and we can avoid it by permitting Christ to engage our attention, rather than our own souls. The safe rule is, whenever we look at ourselves, be penitent; when we look at Christ, be joyous. And look at Christ most of the time, looking inward only to correct our faults and grieve for our imperfections.

VerseBlessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Proverbs 28:14